Human Pathogenic Viruses in the Marine Environment

Indigenous marine virus strains outnumber any form of life in the sea, usually occurring in billion amounts per liter (Danovaro et al., 2001; Fuhrman, 1999). However, although transspecific propagation of viruses may take place, the virus—host relationship tends to be quite constrained, and consequently human viruses are the only viral agents of public health concern in the marine environment.